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LIV Golf hires new chairman, seeks funding without Saudi backing

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LIV Golf announced a new board and a new business strategy Thursday as it tries to forge ahead without Saudi Arabian funding that allowed the league to launch nearly four years ago with oversized contracts and prize funds.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the Public Investment Fund governor who was behind the creation of LIV Golf, is no longer listed as chairman of LIV Golf.

LIV announced Gene Davis of Pirinate Consulting Group and Jon Zinman of the strategic advisory firm JZ Advisors are leading a newly created board, with Davis as chairman. The focus is on securing long-term financial partners when Saudi funding ends after this season.

LIV said it was seeking to move toward an investment model involving multiple partners and team franchises. The league has said it expects 10 of its 13 teams to be profitable this year.

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“The executive leadership team, along with Jon and I, see a clear opportunity to help the league formalize its structure, attract and secure long-term capital, and position the business for growth while continuing to promote the game across the world,” Davis said in a statement. “We look forward to positioning LIV Golf for future success.”

Sports Business Journal reported Wednesday night Al-Rumayyan has resigned as LIV chairman. There has been no official announcement from PIF on Al-Rumayyan or LIV Golf funding.

Scott O’Neil, the CEO at LIV Golf, had told Britain-based TNT two weeks ago during the Mexico event: “The reality is that you’re funded through the season, and then you work like crazy as a business to create a business and a business plan to keep us going.”

That raised questions whether LIV Golf could keep some of its top players once their lucrative contracts expired. With financial muscle from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, LIV was able to spend $1 billion to land the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith and eventually Jon Rahm, the last big signing at the end of 2023.

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The newsletter Money in Sport reported earlier this year that LIV Golf already had spent $5.3 billion since the league launched in 2022, a figure that would be $6 billion by the end of this year.

LIV staff and players have been aware Saudi funding was only through the 2026 season. Thursday’s announcement was to outline plans to seek other sources of funding for a league that currently offers $30 million prize funds at each tournament.

Al-Rumayyan is passionate about golf and long wanted a seat at the table with the sport’s leadership. He signed a framework agreement in 2023 with the PGA Tour and European tour and was set to join the PGA Tour Enterprises board if it was approved.

The deal never materialized, except for ending antitrust lawsuits. PGA Tour Enterprises instead got a minority investment from a consortium of North American sports owners.

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Al-Rumayyan was at the White House in February 2025 to meet with President Donald Trump along with a PGA Tour team that included Tiger Woods, Adam Scott and Commissioner Jay Monahan. But it was clear LIV and the PGA Tour could not find common ground, mainly because the Saudi league wanted to stick with a team component.

DeChambeau and Rahm — both multiple major champions — are considered LIV’s top two players.

DeChambeau said in an interview with the Flushing It social media site that “as long as LIV is here, I would figure out a way for it to make sense.”

“There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau said. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.”

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LIV Golf earlier this week said it was postponing its June 25-28 event in Louisiana to the fall. The next event is scheduled for May 7-10 in northern Virginia, and O’Neil had said in a memo to staff two weeks ago the season would be uninterrupted and “full throttle.”

Al-Rumayyan was all about team golf when he and former CEO Greg Norman launched the league, even though the team concept was one reason it took more than three years for LIV to get recognized by the Official World Golf Ranking.

Koepka left LIV after last season and the PGA Tour granted him a path back with stipulations that included no access to equity grants for five years, a $5 million charity donation and no bonus money this year.

The tour offered it to three other LIV players who had won majors since 2022 — Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith — and gave them a Feb. 4 deadline to accept. None did.

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In an interview earlier this week with The Wall Street Journal, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said: “We’re interested in having the best players who can help our tour. Not every player can do that.”

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Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren give contrasting dates for Joshua vs Fury super fight

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A showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has been agreed, providing ‘AJ’ is victorious in his July comeback. However, promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren have provided different timelines for the long-awaited fight.

Fury made his ring return at the beginning of the month, outpointing Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov in a first win since 2023, before demanding a clash with perennial rival Joshua who was sitting at ringside.

‘AJ’ is yet to fight since a tragic car crash in Nigeria that took the lives of two close friends, but the former unified world champion has vowed to continue boxing and finally face ‘The Gypsy King’ after a ‘warm-up’ fight in the summer.

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On Monday, it was revealed that the Londoner will face Albania’s Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on Saturday, July 25, and that an agreement was in place for Joshua to take on Fury before the end of the year.

Speaking to The Punch Podcast, Joshua’s promoter Hearn declared plans for the event to take place in November.

“We will return in July, against Kristian Prenga, and then all being well we will fight Tyson Fury in November. It is all signed from our side, done.

“Fury has said that he has signed as well so, touch wood, we are finally going to get what is unquestionably the biggest fight in the history of British boxing and maybe even close to [the biggest ever] on the world scale, as well.”

However, in an interview with talkSPORT Boxing, Fury’s long-term promoter Warren stated that he expects the fight to happen ‘sometime in October’.

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“It is signed. Tyson signed up for it months ago, we have been waiting for AJ and he has now done it. So, the fight will be on and it will be on sometime in October by the looks of it.”

As a result, it seems as though further details of the deal still need to be ironed out, including whether Fury will also have an additional ‘tune-up’ before the blockbuster bout.

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Man United’s ‘most disappointing signing ever’ needs to copy Marcus Rashford this summer

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The summer cannot come soon enough for Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho, who looks set to leave Old Trafford.

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Louis Saha believes Jadon Sancho is the most disappointing signing in Manchester United’s history and says he must follow the example set by former teammate Marcus Rashford. Sancho is expected to leave United as a free agent in June when his current deal expires after an extremely disappointing and underwhelming stint at Old Trafford.

His five‑year spell at the club has seen him sent out on loan three times, and he is currently in and out of the Aston Villa side under Unai Emery. Sancho first caught the eye of United’s hierarchy during an impressive stint at Borussia Dortmund, where he produced the best football of his career across two spells with the Bundesliga club.

But he struggled to reach anything close to those levels after joining United for £73million in 2021. Speaking to BetVictor about Sancho’s career downfall, former Reds striker Louis Saha said: “I think Jadon Sancho is the most disappointing signing in Man United’s history.

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“That’s because of the level he had shown at Borussia Dortmund before joining, he showed so much promise because he is an enormous talent. It felt like a mystery. I’m not sure what happened but he didn’t get anywhere near his best and I think he needs a fresh start like Marcus Rashford.

“I was really privileged to be a football player and I was injured a lot and I wish I could have played the amount of games that Sancho has played at his age and with his talent. I would have really loved him to thrive at Old Trafford because he can do everything. He can do amazing things and so it’s a pity to see all those games wasted.”

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Rashford also saw his United career effectively end last year after a falling out with Ruben Amorim over being left out of the December Manchester derby. He left on loan for Villa in January, temporarily ending his two‑decade association with the club.

His spell at Villa Park offered flashes of the form he had struggled to show before his Old Trafford exit, earning him a season‑long loan to Barcelona, who hold a £26million option to make the move permanent.

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In Catalonia, Rashford found a fresh start and began to enjoy his football again – and that is exactly what Sancho will be hoping to replicate this summer. The winger, who has been linked with a return to Dortmund, will be desperate to reignite his career.

However, a move back to the Signal Iduna Park would require a pay cut, with the German club unable to match the £250,000‑a‑week he earns in England.

Sancho was expected to play a major role in helping United challenge for major trophies but his move turned into a nightmare for all involved. At the start of the 2023/24 season, he was banished from first‑team training after a public fallout with former boss Erik ten Hag.

He eventually returned to Dortmund on loan in January and helping them reach the Champions League final but a permanent deal didn’t materialise. Despite clearing the air with Ten Hag, he was allowed to join Chelsea on a season‑long loan with an obligation to buy.

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By the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Chelsea paid a termination fee to avoid signing him permanently and sent him back to M16, where he later joined Villa at the start of this season but he has also failed to make an impact there.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Dunn predicts cheeky Queensland Guineas bid from outsider Another Cashie in 2026

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Smiling man in a navy suit and orange tie giving a thumbs-up at an outdoor event, wearing a red cap that says 'Magic Millions'

The trainer Matt Dunn is brushing aside Another Cashie’s fresh failure, tipping the three-year-old for a sharp improvement and sneaky effort in the Group Two Queensland Guineas despite being at long odds.

He kicked off his campaign solidly at Gold Coast on April 4 before fading to the backmarkers in the Daybreak Lover Plate (1400m) secured by favourite Brave Monarch for the Guineas, which Dunn would sooner disregard.

“That was just a disaster last start, and he’ll bounce back from that on Saturday,” Dunn said.

“He missed the start, circled the field, and did way too much work. He drew a bad gate, and the plan was to try to go forward, but he didn’t jump, and we didn’t adjust.

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He just worked too hard during the race, but he’s a decent horse and he deserves his spot.”

Another Cashie’s recent mishap stained his page, but prior spring results reinforce Dunn’s view.

Third at Eagle Farm to the classy Grafterburners in November, he fought to a half-length second behind Brave Monarch at Sunshine Coast wrapping up his prep.

Barrier four awaits Saturday, positioning Dunn’s $81 hope for at least a top-five finish.

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“Absolutely. From a good gate, we can ride him properly and he’ll make his presence felt,” he said.

“The aim long-term is to get him through to the (Queensland Derby). He’ll run that trip, so that’s our ambitious plan.”

Dunn expects quick sprinter Without Parallel to bounce back in the curtain-raiser post her wide run at Doomben on return.

Post-Kosciusko effort, her wide gate Saturday poses issues, but Dunn has her peaking to win.

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“We’re just going to have to use her speed, so hopefully she doesn’t have to work too hard to get across,” he said.

“First-up it didn’t work out for her at all. We got stuck three-deep with no cover and things didn’t pan out as we hoped.

But she’s great. She will be hard to beat, she just needs a bit of luck from that gate.”

Completing the Eagle Farm team for Dunn are Maurraqa and dependable stayer Belvedere Boys.

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Check betting sites for the latest betting markets for the race in the Queensland Guineas.

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Drake Maye shows support for Patriots coach Mike Vrabel after Dianna Russini scandal: ‘We love coach’

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There’s been increased attention on the New England Patriots following the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini scandal. Vrabel was obligated to discuss the issue once multiple pictures emerged of the pair, and missed Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft in order to be with his family.

But Patriots players haven’t had much of a chance to give their thoughts on Vrabel’s situation. That changed once Vrabel returned to the team following his day off, and multiple players — including quarterback Drake Maye — showed immense support for the head coach.

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Maye spoke about Vrabel’s situation Wednesday, saying the team is “here for coach.”

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Vikings Sign Former Colts Defender

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Colts DT Eric Jkhnson hug Frank Reich
Nov 5, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich and Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (93) embrace after the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Someone within the Minnesota Vikings organization looked at another guy recently and said, “You know what? We need a bunch of defensive tackles.” Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski signed veteran DT Eric Johnson on Wednesday, the fourth new interior defensive lineman in the last five days.

Minnesota continues to tweak its defensive line after the draft, this time with a 320-pound veteran flier.

Johnson may not have too much of an impact on the 2026 regular season, but he’s in the house for the summer nevertheless.

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Get to know Johnson.

Eric Johnson II stands on the sideline before a Colts-Jaguars game at EverBank Stadium. Vikings sign Eric Johnson II
Eric Johnson II (98) stands near the sideline during warmups, scanning the field before kickoff as Indianapolis prepared for a road matchup, Dec. 7, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. The defensive tackle’s presence added depth to the interior line rotation in a late-season AFC contest. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images.

Johnson to MIN

No one much expected a DT signing right after the draft, but here we are. Vikings.com’s Lindsey Young wrote, “The Vikings are continuing to add pieces to their defensive line. Minnesota has signed free agent defensive tackle Eric Johnson II, the team announced Wednesday. Originally a fifth-round selection by Indianapolis in the 2022 NFL Draft, Johnson spent his first two pro seasons with the Colts, a stint with the Patriots in 2024 and then rejoined the Colts for the 2025 campaign.”

“He played in 12 games last season and recorded six tackles, including one for loss. Johnson was on the field for 131 defensive snaps and 16 special teams snaps. Johnson’s most productive season occurred in 2023, when he had 15 tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.”

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From an April standpoint, Johnson projects as a roster bubble guy. He’ll have to fight for a regular season roster spot at training camp.

Johnson’s Background

Johnson is 27, drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in Round 5 four years ago. He’s 6’4″ and 320 pounds. The Missouri State alumnus has played in 51 career games since 2022, starting none, and has logged 41 total tackles, with 3 QB hits, 2 tackles for loss, and a sack. He is the very definition of a depth defensive tackle.

Here’s his PFF resume, along with snap counts per season:

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  • 2025: 47.6 (131 snaps)
  • 2024: 54.2 (178 snaps)
  • 2023: 30.5 (265 snaps)
  • 2022: 47.4 (47.4 snaps)

And his NFL menu so far:

  • Indianapolis Colts (2022–2023)
  • New England Patriots (2024)
  • Indianapolis Colts (2025)
  • Minnesota Vikings (2026-now)

Johnson is better at rushing the passer than stopping the run, though he’s certainly not a pass-rush savant.

The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick on the Johnson addition: “While the dust is still settling from the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings announced on Wednesday that the team has signed free-agent defensive lineman Eric Johnson II. Johnson isn’t someone who had been on anyone’s radar before signing with Minnesota, and rightfully so, since he only has 41 career tackles since entering the league back in 2022.”

“For whatever reason, though, Johnson just hasn’t been able to use his size and athleticism to earn a more consistent role with a team during his pro career. The chances of this happening for him in Minnesota don’t seem high, especially after they just added Caleb Banks and Dominique Orange in this year’s NFL Draft. But perhaps the Vikings’ coaching staff can help him perform at a level he hasn’t been able to reach yet since entering the league.”

The New Load of DTs

One offseason surprise for the Vikings? After releasing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, the DT position became a sudden priority and a youth movement. Dropping Hargrave and Allen last month did not mean that defensive coordinator Brian Flores was content with his young depth defenders; he just wanted different ones.

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Eric Johnson II leaves the field after a Colts loss to the 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Vikings sign Eric Johnson II
Eric Johnson II (98) walks off the field following a tough home loss, showing visible frustration as Indianapolis dropped a late-season matchup, Dec. 22, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The defensive lineman was part of a unit that struggled to slow San Francisco’s offense throughout the contest. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.

Here’s the full DT room entering May:

  • Jalen Redmond
  • Caleb Banks
  • Domonique Orange
  • Levi Drake Rodriguez
  • Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
  • Elijah Williams
  • Taki Taimani
  • Eric Johnson
  • Monkell Goodwine

Next to Redmond, a headliner by now of the Vikings’ defense, Banks and Orange entered the mix as rookies last week from the draft.

All the FA Additions since March

Believe it or not, the 2026 offseason has been unusually quiet for the Vikings in adding new veterans from free agency. The club used the last few months to reset the salary cap, refusing to put the bill on the 2027 or 2028 ledger. Therefore, when next offseason rolls around, Minnesota will have more flexibility.

Eric Johnson II walks off the field after an overtime loss to the Rams at Lucas Oil Stadium. Vikings sign Eric Johnson II
Eric Johnson II (93) exits the field after an overtime defeat, with players dispersing toward the locker room following a hard-fought battle, Oct. 1, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Colts fell short against the Rams despite extended play, ending a tightly contested game in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Network.

Here’s the haul of newcomer vets since the start of March:

  • Johnny Hekker (P)
  • Eric Johnson (DT)
  • Kyler Murray (QB)
  • James Pierre (CB)
  • Ryan Van Demark (OT)

That list may grow into the spring and summer, and in fact, some expect the Vikings to sign wide receiver Jauan Jennings sometime this week after he met with the club in Eagan.

Johnson will turn 28 in July. He played alongside former Vikings defense Camryn Bynum and Mekhi Blackmon last year in Indianapolis.


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Brooks Koepka, Cleveland/Srixon dissolve equipment partnership

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Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour and he’s now back to being one of its most highly sought-after gear free agents.

Dunlop Sports, the parent company of Cleveland/Srixon Golf and XXIO, announced it and Koepka had mutually agreed to end their endorsement contract, “effectively immediately.”

“Over the course of their relationship, Brooks served as an exceptional ambassador for the Srixon and Cleveland Golf brands,” a statement on the company’s website said. “His commitment to competing at the highest level of the game, including a major championship victory with Srixon and Cleveland Golf equipment in play, exemplifies the performance standard both brands stand for.

“Dunlop Sports Americas is proud of what was accomplished together and grateful for the professionalism and dedication Brooks brought to the partnership. DSA wishes him continued success on the PGA Tour.”

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Koepka signed with Cleveland/Srixon, somewhat surprisingly, in 2021 after years of being one of golf’s most coveted after free agents. He won his first four major titles as a free agent after Nike left the hard goods business. He was seen as one of the most valuable free agent signings of all-time.

The partnership bore fruit quickly when Koepka won the 2023 PGA Championship, his fifth major title, with a Srixon ball, driver, irons and Cleveland wedges.

But Koepka received notably less publicity in the following years while playing on LIV Golf, which he joined mid-2022, just over a year into the partnership. He also never switched to the company’s new ZXi driver or ZXi irons, released in 2025.

There was evidence the partnership was on shaky ground earlier this season when Koepka switched from a Srixon Z-Star Diamond back to a Titleist Pro V1x golf ball at the Cognizant Classic. That was something he did early on in the partnership as well, but Cleveland/Srixon granted him permission to switch balls in 2022 as they worked toward creating a ball tailored to his game.

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Koepka is currently the second alternate for this week’s Signature Event, the Cadillac Championship in Miami, and is on site in case of two last-minute withdrawals. If he doesn’t make the field, he recently committed to next week’s OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic opposite the Truist Championship as he gears up for the PGA Championship.

Given his success when he was a free agent, it wouldn’t be shocking for him to continue down that road for the foreseeable future. Expect some movement within his golf bag over the next few months.

Want to overhaul your bag in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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2026 Tasmanian apprentice Jabez Johnstone secures win at Caulfield Heath for Maher

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Jockey in blue and white silks on a brown horse, wearing helmet and goggles, raising one finger toward the camera during a race.

Apprentice Jabez Johnstone out of Tasmania has strengthened his case for eventually basing himself in Melbourne courtesy of a win riding for Ciaron Maher.

Partnering the Ciaron Maher-trained Cardi Bee, Johnstone claimed the IVE> Handicap (1500m) at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday in a swift crossover venture.

Touching down in Melbourne Sunday, he competed in jump-outs at Cranbourne the next day Monday, followed by gallops at Cranbourne Tuesday, before securing two rides with the Maher team on Wednesday.

With 47 winners to his name this term, Johnstone holds second spot on the Tasmanian Jockeys’ premiership, scheduled to fly out Wednesday night for seven rides at Devonport on Sunday.

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National Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull from Ciaron Maher Racing noted Johnstone’s potential for a repeat visit in a fortnight.

“He’s come over from Tasmania through Steve Maskiell and he’s hit the ground running,” Turnbull said.

“He flies back tonight, but he’s back in a fortnight to do a similar thing and then I guess it’s up to him and Ciaron and the team if he would like to come back and ride in Melbourne.

“He rode trials on Monday, and a couple of gallops, and the idea was to get a couple of rides today and thankfully he’s got a winner at his second race after he rode the first one really well.

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“Hopefully he likes his time and wants to come back.

“He’s a good young kid with plenty of ability and he showed that today as he was very collected in the run.”

Johnstone voiced his excitement about coming back to Melbourne.

He familiarized himself with Caulfield Heath by walking it with mentor to apprentices and retired jockey Alf Matthews, astounded by the track’s shapes.

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“I can’t thank everyone enough for all their support, all the team back home and Ciaron and the team here, they put a lot of faith in me,” Johnstone said.

“The race, it worked out perfectly.

“I had barrier 10 and it was a blessing in disguise actually. She likes to roll forward and on this tight turning track, the genuine speed helped me, and we were able to get in, and she was able to do the rest.”

Visit racing betting markets to find great value on fixtures like the IVE> Handicap at Caulfield Heath.

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DeAndre Jordan named NBA Teammate of the Year

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DeAndre Jordan has been named the 2025–26 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year after his leadership and impact with the New Orleans Pelicans.

The award recognises the player considered the best teammate in the league, based on selfless play, leadership and commitment to the team. It has been presented annually since the 2012–13 season.

A panel of league executives selected 12 finalists, with six players from each conference. Current NBA players then voted to decide the winner.

  • NBA Playoffs Wednesday recap: Pistons, Rockets stay alive as Cavs Take LeadNBA Playoffs Wednesday recap: Pistons, Rockets stay alive as Cavs Take Lead

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Jordan’s influence both on and off the court played a key role in earning him the honour, highlighting his reputation as a respected leader and teammate across the league.

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IPL 2026: 4, 4, 4, 4, 4! Virat Kohli joins elite RCB club after tearing apart Rabada | Watch | Cricket News

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IPL 2026: 4, 4, 4, 4, 4! Virat Kohli joins elite RCB club after tearing apart Rabada | Watch
Virat Kohli (Pic credit: IPL)

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli lit up the Narendra Modi Stadium with a breathtaking burst of strokeplay, smashing five consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada to script a special milestone in IPL 2026 on Thursday.Turning the clock back to his most destructive best, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru talisman came out all guns blazing, dismantling Rabada in just the second over of the innings and leaving fans and pundits in awe.With that stunning sequence, Kohli became only the third batter in Royal Challengers Bengaluru history to hit five or more boundaries in a single over — joining an elite list featuring Chris Gayle and Shane Watson.

Kohli joins Gayle, Watson in exclusive list

The rare feat has been achieved only twice before in the franchise’s history. Gayle first did it in 2013 against Ishwar Pandey in Bengaluru, while Watson matched the record in 2016 against Thisara Perera.Kohli’s effort in Ahmedabad now completes a remarkable trio, underlining his enduring class and ability to dominate even the world’s best bowlers.The five boundaries showcased a complete range of strokeplay — from authoritative pulls to elegant drives and late cuts — highlighting why Kohli remains one of the most feared batters.WATCH: Virat Kohli’s early assaultRCB batters with five (or more) fours in an over

  • 5 – Chris Gayle off Ishwar Pandey (PWI), Bengaluru, 2013
  • 5 – Shane Watson off Thisara Perera (RPS), Bengaluru, 2016
  • 5 – Virat Kohli off Kagiso Rabada (GT), Ahmedabad, 2026

Rabada strikes back after early onslaughtThe carnage yielded 21 runs in Rabada’s opening over, with Kohli racing to 28 off just 10 balls soon after with a six off Mohammed Siraj — equalling the joint-fastest start of his T20 career in terms of runs off his first 10 deliveries.However, the contest had another twist.Rabada, unfazed by the early assault, returned strongly in his next over to have the last laugh. Bowling a sharp, short delivery, he hurried Kohli (28 off 13) into a mistimed shot that resulted in a top edge, comfortably caught by Rashid Khan at mid-wicket.The dismissal marked the fifth time Rabada has removed Kohli in T20 cricket, underlining the fascinating rivalry between the two stars.Despite his brief stay, Kohli’s explosive start set the tone for the innings and provided early momentum to RCB. His aggressive intent against a bowler of Rabada’s calibre stood out as one of the defining moments of the match.

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Vikings GM Search Takes Unexpected Turn

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Zygi Wilf standing on the field before a Vikings game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf surveys the field before kickoff, taking in pregame preparations at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The moment captures Wilf observing team activity and stadium atmosphere ahead of a matchup against Atlanta as final warmups unfold. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Friday, January 30th, after four years’ worth of poor drafts and one offseason of atrocious quarterback decision-making. Fast forward to late April, and the club has begun its search for a replacement. The caveat? It’s a closed search; the team will not announce any general manager candidates.

The Wilfs want a full search, albeit secretive, yet the strongest candidate might already be running the building.

It’s an odd twist for a team that is usually pretty damn transparent.

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Rob Brzezinski Has the Inside Track After the Draft

Curious about the Vikings’ GM wishlist? You’re out of luck.

Rob Brzezinski speaks during a sit-down interview about Vikings front-office strategy and leadership. Vikings GM search
Rob Brzezinski sits down with Vikings.com’s Gabe Henderson to discuss front-office philosophy and team-building approach, offering insight into Minnesota’s leadership structure during a recorded segment, Feb. 17, 2022, as the organization transitioned into the Kevin O’Connell era with a renewed emphasis on collaboration and long-term planning. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

The Search Begins — But Don’t Ask Who’s Involved

Mark and Zygi Wilf, the team’s longtime owners, released the following statement on Wednesday:

With the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, our search for the next general manager of the Minnesota Vikings is underway. This will be a thorough and deliberate process led by ownership, with support from a small internal advisory committee of senior leaders.

We have also engaged respected firm TurnkeyZRG to assist in conducting a wide-ranging search that includes experienced football executives, emerging candidates and individuals with diverse professional backgrounds. Our focus is to identify a decisive leader with a clear vision for team building, strong communication skills and the ability to build alignment across an organization.

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Out of respect for all involved, we do not intend to publicly announce candidates and will provide further comment when the search is complete.

This basically means that one day soon, the Vikings will declare a new general manager, and unlike the 2022 process, no contenders will be made public.

Brzezinski as the Frontrunner

While the process of scouting a new general manager will be extensive, the interim candidate, Brzezinski, just has to be the frontrunner. He formally expressed interest in the big job this week, and he has run the show for three months. There have been no major blunders, and Brzezinski’s brief time in the saddle has been highlighted by the signing of Kyler Murray and onboarding a mostly impressive draft class, at least by a few-days-after standards.

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Brzezinski has worked for the Vikings for 27 years. He knows everything about the enterprise and is willing to work within the team’s existing structure, in addition to collaborating with Kevin O’Connell.

Minnesota may ultimately hire an outsider, but Brzezinski should be considered the favorite.

The Theoretical Outside Candidates

Of course, the whole premise of this article is that fans won’t know the candidates’ identities, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from speculating on Adofo-Mensah’s replacement since January 30th.

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Zygi Wilf talks with Roger Goodell during a Vikings playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings GM search
Zygi Wilf converses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell along the sideline during a playoff atmosphere, sharing a moment during the second quarter of a wild card matchup, Jan. 15, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as the Vikings hosted postseason action in front of a packed home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Along with Brzezinski, the following list can be considered a reasonable group of possible applicants:

  • Alec Halaby (PHI)
  • Andy Weidl (PIT)
  • Ed Dodds (IND)
  • George Paton (DEN
  • John McKay (LAR)
  • Matt Berry (SEA)
  • Ryan Cowden (NE)
  • Trent Kirchner (SEA)

And that batch will just have to do for curious minds because outside of leaks, the Wilfs don’t want the process to be overly public.

The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis noted on Dodds this week, “Dodds is one of the most deserving options if the Vikings want to go the experienced scout route. For years, his name has surfaced in these GM conversations. He interviewed with the Detroit Lions in 2021, then the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024.”

“Last year, the Tennessee Titans considered him for the role that ultimately went to Mike Borgonzi. The Texas native started with the Raiders. His career took off with the Seattle Seahawks, where he focused on college scouting. Tape and relationships guide his opinions. Other longtime NFL scouts believe he deserves an opportunity.”

GM Can’t Pick the Head Coach

There’s one awkward aspect of this search and perhaps another reason why Brzezinski leads the pack: the new general manager won’t be hiring a head coach. That part is done. It’s O’Connell.

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Almost every new general manager has a first order of business: hiring a head coach — the guy who will determine if his football team is any good and bring his free-agent and draft decisions to fruition. In Minnesota, at least for another season, O’Connell is the head coach, and he’s not going anywhere.

Kevin O’Connell stands on the sideline during a Vikings playoff game against the Rams. Vikings GM search
Kevin O’Connell watches from the sideline during the second half of a postseason contest, focused on late-game execution as Minnesota battled the Rams, Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale with the season on the line in an NFC wild card showdown. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

NBC Sports Mike Florio on the process: “The overriding question is whether coach Kevin O’Connell will emerge from the process with greater influence over the roster. That will make the specific terms of the G.M. job critical — and it will potentially impact Minnesota’s ability to interview and hire candidates under contract with other teams.”

So, whether it’s Brzezinski or a newcomer, O’Connell remains a fixture of the Vikings and probably the more important of them all. The new general manager cannot waltz into his new office and fire O’Connell. That’s off-limits.


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